Elder Justice Act
In 2010, Congress passed the EJA as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Although the EJA did not appropriate funds for services, it paved the way for a national structure for elder justice and established an Elder Justice Coordinating Council to oversee EJA implementation and develop recommendations for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Congress. The Council includes representatives from HSS, the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Social Security Administration, and others.
Updates
Appropriations for most provisions under the EJA were set to expire in 2014. Previous attempts at reauthorization have failed, and since 2016, funding for programs and activities has been provided by continuing resolutions. On May 24, 2017, House Republican Pete King introduced the Elder Justice Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2639) to extend the act through 2021. It was referred to the Ways and Means committee, and the Committees on the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Education and the Workforce. The bill's sponsors have announced the creation of the new bipartisan House Elder Justice Caucus to focus additional Congressional attention on elder abuse. Reauthorization language has been introduced in the House but not in Senate.
How you can help:
Resources
The Elder Justice Act: Background and Issues for Congress. Kirsten J. Colello, Specialist in Health and Aging Policy. January 24, 2017
To learn more:
To track H.R. 2639, visit Congress.gov.
The Elder Justice Coalition provides information and updates on the EJA and related policy.
In 2010, Congress passed the EJA as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Although the EJA did not appropriate funds for services, it paved the way for a national structure for elder justice and established an Elder Justice Coordinating Council to oversee EJA implementation and develop recommendations for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Congress. The Council includes representatives from HSS, the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Social Security Administration, and others.
Updates
Appropriations for most provisions under the EJA were set to expire in 2014. Previous attempts at reauthorization have failed, and since 2016, funding for programs and activities has been provided by continuing resolutions. On May 24, 2017, House Republican Pete King introduced the Elder Justice Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2639) to extend the act through 2021. It was referred to the Ways and Means committee, and the Committees on the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Education and the Workforce. The bill's sponsors have announced the creation of the new bipartisan House Elder Justice Caucus to focus additional Congressional attention on elder abuse. Reauthorization language has been introduced in the House but not in Senate.
How you can help:
- Urge your members of Congress to support the Elder Justice Reauthorization Act.
- Urge your members of Congress to join the Elder Justice Caucus.
- Urge HHS to launch an Advisory Board on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation to develop a short and long term multidisciplinary plan for the field of elder justice and make recommendations to the Elder Justice Coordinating Council.
Resources
The Elder Justice Act: Background and Issues for Congress. Kirsten J. Colello, Specialist in Health and Aging Policy. January 24, 2017
To learn more:
To track H.R. 2639, visit Congress.gov.
The Elder Justice Coalition provides information and updates on the EJA and related policy.
